Butterworth Funeral Home - Arthur A Wright Chapel & Queen Anne Columbarium

01/27/2026

Had to share!

One helpful way to understand grief comes from Lois Tonkin.

Tonkin’s theory challenges the idea that grief fades, resolves, or disappears with time. Instead, it suggests this: grief stays the same size, but life grows around it.

In the beginning, grief can feel all-consuming. It takes up everything. Over time, new experiences, relationships, routines, and moments of meaning slowly expand the space around the grief. The pain doesn’t vanish. It’s just no longer the only thing present.

This matters because it removes the pressure to “get over it.”

If your grief still feels heavy years later, that doesn’t mean you’re stuck.
If moments of joy coexist with deep sorrow, that doesn’t mean you’re betraying your loss.

Grief doesn’t ask to be erased.
It asks to be carried, alongside a life that continues to grow.

Both can be true at the same time.

01/19/2026

Today we honor the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In these trying times, it is increasingly difficult for even the most faithful among us to see light, love, and hope for the future. Dr. King inspires us to go out and make an impact in our communities and to create the world we want to see for future generations. May Dr. King’s memory forever be a blessing, and may his wisdom and teachings continue to guide us all💙

01/01/2026

12/23/2025

“For though my faith is not yours and your faith is not mine, if we each are free to light our own flame, together we can banish some of the darkness of the world.”
~ Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

10/09/2025

❤️

The Good Grief Project : We Are Carriers of Their Unfinished Stories. This image was made by Andy Smith, father to Emily who died in 2022 aged 8. Andy joined us on one of our Active Grief Weekend retreat and as part of the photography workshop created a photo that represents his need to continue reading the book his daughter loved.

The quote comes from Francis Weller (The Wild Edge of Sorrow) who addresses how in contemporary society we may have forgotten how to grieve
“To alter the amnesia of our times, we must be willing to look into the face of the loss and keep it nearby. In this way, we may be able to honor the losses and live our lives as carriers of their unfinished stories. This is an ancient thought – how we tend the dead is as important as how we tend the living.” — Francis Weller
www.thegoodgriefproject.co.uk

09/17/2025

Judaism is a deeply rooted faith established thousands of years ago. Within this faith community, there are sometimes differences of opinion. Traditional burial is a time-honored practice in Judaism, but the number of Jews choosing cremation is growing.

Traditional burial is a time-honored practice in the Jewish faith, but is cremation allowed? Learn why more Jews are choosing cremation today.

08/08/2025

The Sedlec Ossuary, located in Sedlec, Czech Republic, is famous for its chandelier made of human bones. This ossuary, also known as the Bone Church, is a chapel decorated with the remains of approximately 40,000 to 70,000 people. The chandelier, located in the center of the chapel, is said to contain at least one of every bone in the human body.

07/25/2025

Today is National Hire a Veteran Day! The Dignity Memorial Network and its affiliates value the service and sacrifice our veterans provided to protect our freedom in the U.S., Canada and all over the world. We have an internal employee group, known as SALUTE, that focuses on creating conscience about Veterans and Military reserve and the importance they have in our firm. Their mission is to inspire, empower, support and educate the 731 veterans associates, their families and all veteran advocates with a team dedicated to wellness, leadership and advancement. Let us all promote the hiring and transition of our veterans into the civilian workforce.

07/01/2025

Most parents never imagine living in a world without their children. During Bereaved Parents Awareness Month, we recognize and support the parents who have lost children. If you're a parent who has experienced a loss, please see our grief guide for support.

How do you cope when your child dies? What is going to change? Everything. Find validation for your grief, suggestions on dealing with the situations you face and hope for your future.

04/21/2025

We are saddened by the passing of Pope Francis. Rest in Peace.

Pope Francis, a voice for the poor who overcame fierce resistance to reshape the Catholic Church, has died on Easter Monday, at the age of 88, the Vatican has announced.

04/11/2025

Dignity Memorial LIFT® is a social support program that helps surviving spouses adjust to the loss of their partners. The program gives members the opportunity to socialize with others who share similar feelings and experiences. The Dignity Memorial LIFT program encourages members to invest emotional energy in fellowship with other members as well as in educational activities.